Al-Gawhara Palace is a guest palace in the Citadel area. It was damaged by fire but reopened in 1983 during the presidency of Hosni Mubarak
The Construction
This valuable museum was built in 1814. Al-Gawhara Palace was erected on the ruins of the Mamluk palace. The idea for its construction arose for the following reasons:
Near Bab al-Azab, the site of the infamous Citadel Massacre, Muhammad Ali Pasha ordered the demolition of the Diwan of al-Ghuri and Qaitbay, along with other Mamluk buildings and palaces, to establish his seat of government, Al-Gawhara Palace. Adjacent to it, he built the Harem Palace (now the Military Museum)
The Museum Description
Al-Jawhara Palace, one of the palaces located in the Citadel of Saladin, next to the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, has been converted into a museum.
The palace was originally built as a residence for the wife of Muhammad Ali Pasha.
At the main entrance of the palace is a plaque inscribed with the words, "O Opener of Doors, open for us the best of doors."
It is distinguished by its magnificent architectural design, which combines Eastern and European styles.
Muhammad Ali Pasha ensured that this palace was the epitome of luxury and splendor. It contains many large halls.
The palace was adorned with the finest Ottoman decorative arts, both in wood and stucco.
The palace is replete with exquisite colors, drawings, and inscriptions.
The palace retained its prestige until it was finally converted into a museum of Islamic heritage.
What does the Al-Gawhara Museum contain?
It contains gifts presented to the family of Muhammad Ali Pasha up to the reign of King Farouk.
It also contains personal belongings and artifacts of Muhammad Ali Pasha.
The museum houses royal artifacts, antique clocks, and rare paintings.
The palace contains 499 artifacts on display and 288 in storage.
Among its most important holdings are
A mother-of-pearl model of the Dome of the Rock, a gift from King Abdullah bin Talal to King Farouk in the 1940s.
The throne of King Farouk with Queen Nariman.
A glassware gallery
Including vases and metal artifacts such as rare antique clocks, hookahs, and candlesticks.
The throne chair
On which Muhammad Ali Pasha sat.
The bedroom of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.
She visited Egypt during the reign of Khedive Ismail at the opening of the Suez Canal.
The museum also displays rare oil paintings of the family of Muhammad Ali Pasha.
The Al-Gawhara Palace Fire
This palace was damaged by fire several times during the lifetime of Muhammad Ali Pasha himself and was rebuilt each time.
Al-Gawhara Palace burned down in 1972
The Egyptian Antiquities Authority – the Supreme Council of Antiquities –
Developed a plan to restore the palace to its former architectural and artistic state, including its inscriptions, decorations, furniture, and artifacts, with the aim of opening it as a museum showcasing aspects of the history of Muhammad Ali Pasha's dynasty. The restoration plan was implemented in two phases. The first phase involved renovating and restoring the sections suitable for visitors, while the second phase included adding several halls to the adjacent building on the eastern side of the palace. This building, which was used for hospitality during Muhammad Ali Pasha's era, had been closed from 1952, following the July Revolution, until 1983. The main facade overlooking the Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque was also restored. These restorations were completed in July 1983.
The Halls of Al-Jawhara Palace
1- The High Council Hall (Main Hall)
The hall from which Muhammad Ali Pasha managed the affairs of state.
The architectural plan of Al-Jawhara Palace consists of several main blocks, each with two floors.
The First Floor
It begins with the main entrance, in front of which stands a portico supported by marble columns. To the left of this entrance are numerous buildings, above which are other simple structures, connecting to the Diwan of the Khedive, or the Palace of Justice, which was established by Muhammad Ali Pasha. At the end of the entrance, on the northeastern side, is a rectangular room with a double staircase leading to the courtyard. This wing was designated for the palace staff, or those known as the "Diwan al-Khasah" (Private Court). The entrance passage also leads to buildings designated for the guard post, the walls of the southern courtyard of the citadel, and the main courtyard overlooked by the palace's administrative units and the portico of the main reception hall.
The Kiosk (Residence Units)
The residence units consisted of the main reception wing, or what was known as the "kiosk," which was used for Muhammad Ali Pasha's receptions, and the adjoining iwan (a vaulted hall).
The Bathhouse
Known as the Alabaster Bathhouse
The Second Floor
Above the reception wing, its units are arranged around the main courtyard and lead to the guest house. The walls and ceilings of this palace are decorated with gilded motifs and inscriptions, primarily floral designs, vases, and curtain patterns, executed in a style known as Baroque and Rococo, characterized by repetitive decorative motifs and landscapes. This palace was also notable for its depictions of naval vessels. It was here that Muhammad Ali Pasha received important foreign visitors, and it continued to serve as the venue for official receptions until the era of Khedive Ismail Pasha, who hosted Sultan Abdul Aziz Khan there. Sultan Abdul Aziz Khan visited Egypt on the 4th of Shawwal, 1279 AH (1862 CE) and stayed for seven days.
2- The Throne Room (Royal Hall) - with the Lions' Garden -
This is the largest room in the palace and overlooks the Citadel Square. From it, one could see Cairo and the Giza Pyramids in a magnificent panorama. A staircase leads from the reception hall to the seaward wing, which is divided into two sections, and to the rear garden, known as the Lions' Garden due to a marble fountain in its center with lions perched on its edge, water flowing from their mouths.
3- The Alabaster Hall
This hall contains a marble bath made of alabaster, quarried from the Beni Suef region.
4- The Clock Hall
Considered the most beautiful part of the palace due to its exquisite ornamentation.
It features gilded decorations and inscriptions in the Baroque and Rococo styles.
5- The Bridal Throne Hall
This hall contains the bridal throne where King Farouk I married Queen Nariman.
New exhibition halls have been added, such as
6- The Diorama Hall
The Diorama Hall in the Al-Gawhara Palace Museum is a realistic recreation of the High Council, featuring statues of statesmen and Muhammad Ali Pasha reclining on a red cushion, surrounded by four advisors. It is located at the front of the main hall, which is decorated with European Rococo-style reliefs, and from which he managed the affairs of the country.
7- The Hall of the Kaaba's Covering
This hall displays sections of the Kaaba's covering, woven with gold and silver threads, which were sent to Mecca and crafted in the Citadel's workshop.
What They Said About the Palace
how al-Jabarti
He said that the Pasha demolished the headquarters of the Ghuri Diwan and its buildings, and erected this palace in the Roman style, using wood instead of stone. Its walls were painted with a thin layer of whitewash, varnish, and inscriptions in 1814.
The French traveler Edmond Petit
From the Jewel Palace, one could see a beautiful view stretching over the city, reaching beyond the Nile and the Pyramids. From the direction of the Muhammad Ali Mosque, one could see the slender minarets.
